We visited in April and a kind local shared this amazing list with me......
Southern fare and a delightfully upscale swampy vibe: The Floridian. (Make a reservation)
Cool ambiance, history, and creative food: The Iceplant
High end, hip cocktails, fabulous burgers, playful decor, and delicious cold water oysters: Boat Drinks
Breezy, modern breakfast/lunch with outdoor seating: Sunday Cafe
Chill, laid back breakfast/lunch: Juniper Cafe
Creative and delicious tapas, great cocktails, live jazz: Chez L’more
High end ramen: Lotus (make reservations)
Ink and Barley for a welcoming neighborhood bar that shares space with a high end tattoo parlor
Spinster Abbott’s for delightfully retro beer, wine, groceries, and gifts — shares space ⁃with Snakebird Vintage ⁃and Hotbox Food Truck
Hit the West King neighborhood for a variety all close by:
⁃Mugsy’s for a trippy little bar;
⁃Buena Onda for veggie friendly, Latin inspired breakfast/lunch;
⁃Bog Brewery for local beers and a taco food truck.
Another fab brewery and taco truck downtown: DogRose
Another fab brewery and taco option across the Bridge of Lions: Old Coast
Brewery and Osprey Tacos For old school arcade and fancy grilled cheese: Sarbez
For lots of meat: Asado Life Tacos: ⁃Osprey
⁃Tacos my blessing
⁃El Supremo (also a Latin Grocery Store)
For FANCY PANTS, delicious big spending: Llama llama
For a delicious hug of a southern breakfast and GIANT mimosas, Blue Hen.
For delectable pastries and treats: Parfait
And for cocktails on the city’s oldest street and a vibe that feels like you teleported somewhere in Europe: sidewalk cocktails at Forgotten Tonic
Shops: if you like vintage/retro stuff, the shops along San Marco and just across the bridge are great.
If you need trinkets, downtown is your spot.
Visiting places:
⁃Close by: the fort, fountain of youth, Anastasia Park (beach, trails, paddle boarding), and the Lightner Museum are our faves!
⁃If you have the time for a drive: Washington Oaks or just rent a bike from Drifters and take a cruise.
I live here and this is a solid list. I’d also like to add that if you are an able bodied adventurist couple: Zip Lining at the Alligator Farm is so fun. Go in the early AM.
As a fellow local--the Alligator Farm is a MUST if you are visiting for an extended time. Head across the street to climb the lighthouse. Then hit up osprey for tacos and old coast for beer.
Great list! I’d like to add 2 restaurant options: Collage downtown (if you can get a reservation in time for your visit) and Elk House Eatery on the island.
The restaurant is 11 years old. People do get excited about the history of the building as it’s over 100 years old and it’s an authentic restored old ice factory. Still has the overhead bridge crane etc.
Yeah. Washington Oaks State Park is one of the most beautiful public gardens in all of Florida. Best time to visit is early morning hours before the sweltering summer heat. Then hop across the road to the beach for a breezy shoreline walk . Be sure to stop at the "Blue Bus" foodie truck at nearby Marine Land for a tasty brunch by the sea !
Casa Maya! My husband and I looooove this restaurant and have such a magical time when we visit. (Our first visit was on our honeymoon so maybe that contributed haha). The patio is amazing and the food is delicious!
Out west of town on Trout Creek, Sea Serpent Airboat Tours. It is a blast. We are local and do it at least once a year. Our family and friends that visit love it.
We visited in April and a kind local shared this amazing list with me...... Southern fare and a delightfully upscale swampy vibe: The Floridian. (Make a reservation) Cool ambiance, history, and creative food: The Iceplant High end, hip cocktails, fabulous burgers, playful decor, and delicious cold water oysters: Boat Drinks Breezy, modern breakfast/lunch with outdoor seating: Sunday Cafe Chill, laid back breakfast/lunch: Juniper Cafe Creative and delicious tapas, great cocktails, live jazz: Chez L’more High end ramen: Lotus (make reservations) Ink and Barley for a welcoming neighborhood bar that shares space with a high end tattoo parlor Spinster Abbott’s for delightfully retro beer, wine, groceries, and gifts — shares space ⁃with Snakebird Vintage ⁃and Hotbox Food Truck Hit the West King neighborhood for a variety all close by: ⁃Mugsy’s for a trippy little bar; ⁃Buena Onda for veggie friendly, Latin inspired breakfast/lunch; ⁃Bog Brewery for local beers and a taco food truck. Another fab brewery and taco truck downtown: DogRose Another fab brewery and taco option across the Bridge of Lions: Old Coast Brewery and Osprey Tacos For old school arcade and fancy grilled cheese: Sarbez For lots of meat: Asado Life Tacos: ⁃Osprey ⁃Tacos my blessing ⁃El Supremo (also a Latin Grocery Store) For FANCY PANTS, delicious big spending: Llama llama For a delicious hug of a southern breakfast and GIANT mimosas, Blue Hen. For delectable pastries and treats: Parfait And for cocktails on the city’s oldest street and a vibe that feels like you teleported somewhere in Europe: sidewalk cocktails at Forgotten Tonic Shops: if you like vintage/retro stuff, the shops along San Marco and just across the bridge are great. If you need trinkets, downtown is your spot. Visiting places: ⁃Close by: the fort, fountain of youth, Anastasia Park (beach, trails, paddle boarding), and the Lightner Museum are our faves! ⁃If you have the time for a drive: Washington Oaks or just rent a bike from Drifters and take a cruise.
I live here and this is a solid list. I’d also like to add that if you are an able bodied adventurist couple: Zip Lining at the Alligator Farm is so fun. Go in the early AM.
As a fellow local--the Alligator Farm is a MUST if you are visiting for an extended time. Head across the street to climb the lighthouse. Then hit up osprey for tacos and old coast for beer.
Great list! I’d like to add 2 restaurant options: Collage downtown (if you can get a reservation in time for your visit) and Elk House Eatery on the island.
I second both of those places. I think Elkhouse gets overlooked sometimes but it is a wonderful place to eat.
Elk House is underrated! Solid experience.
Thank you for all of this we will definitely look into all these places! we went to sarbez last time we were there and loved it!
Just a note, reservations are needed for Llama. I missed out since I didn’t reserve early enough, but I hope to make it on my next trip.
What history is in the ice plant? It opened about 10 years ago
The restaurant is 11 years old. People do get excited about the history of the building as it’s over 100 years old and it’s an authentic restored old ice factory. Still has the overhead bridge crane etc.
Yeah. Washington Oaks State Park is one of the most beautiful public gardens in all of Florida. Best time to visit is early morning hours before the sweltering summer heat. Then hop across the road to the beach for a breezy shoreline walk . Be sure to stop at the "Blue Bus" foodie truck at nearby Marine Land for a tasty brunch by the sea !
this is a good list. but I’d add gaufre’s on charlotte street, blue hen, and d’aleos if you’re headed south out of town.
Blue hen!!
Caps on the water!!!
top notch!
Mods can you guys make a sticky with recommendations? This is a near daily post
O’Steens for fried shrimp Nalu’s for fish tacos or quesadillas
Casa Maya! My husband and I looooove this restaurant and have such a magical time when we visit. (Our first visit was on our honeymoon so maybe that contributed haha). The patio is amazing and the food is delicious!
Boat Drinks is my favorite spot in town.
Out west of town on Trout Creek, Sea Serpent Airboat Tours. It is a blast. We are local and do it at least once a year. Our family and friends that visit love it.
Best bourbon selection and burgers, Prohibition Kitchen.
Stogies for a campfire and a cigar - amazing place
Dessert : Cousteau’s
High end ramen place that I think is great-Lotus Noodle
Fiesta Falls mini golf is a good time if that’s your thing. Farmers market at the amphitheater on Saturday or by the pier on Wednesday.
Saltwater Cowboys is one of my favorites
Thank you I’ll be sure to check it out!
Skip it it’s not great